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Candida auris and COVID-19: A health threatening combination
Shaghayegh Khojasteh1,2, Jalal Jafarzdeh3, Seyed Abdollah Hosseini4
1Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Abstract:
Since its first emergence in December 2019, due to its fast distribution throughout the world, SARS-COV-2 become a global concern. With the extremely increased number of hospitalized patients, this situation provided a potential basis for the transmission of nosocomial infections. Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant pathogen with improved transmission dynamics and resistance traits. During the worldwide spread of COVID-19, cases or outbreaks of C. auris colonization or infection have been reported. Resistance to antifungal drugs has been observed in the causative agents of the majority of such cases. The focus in this review is on COVID-19-associated C. auris infections (case studies/outbreaks) and the pandemic's potential effect on antifungal drug resistance.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated the spread of multidrug-resistant Candida auris, a serious nosocomial pathogen. This review examines COVID-19-associated C. auris infections and their impact on antifungal resistance.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 led to a global health crisis.
- Increased hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities for nosocomial infections.
- Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, exhibits enhanced transmission and resistance characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases and outbreaks of Candida auris infections associated with COVID-19.
- To investigate the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antifungal drug resistance in C. auris.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of case studies and outbreak reports.
- Analysis of reported C. auris infections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Examination of antifungal resistance patterns in associated cases.
Main Results:
- Numerous cases and outbreaks of Candida auris colonization and infection have been reported during the global COVID-19 spread.
- A significant proportion of these cases demonstrated resistance to antifungal drugs.
- The pandemic environment may have contributed to the increased prevalence and resistance of C. auris.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increase in Candida auris infections, often exhibiting antifungal resistance.
- Healthcare systems must remain vigilant for C. auris in the context of viral pandemics.
- Further research is needed to understand the interplay between viral infections and the rise of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens.
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